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maybe even hydrogen. It won’t interfere with loading/unload- Blue? ns numerical modeling. “In our case,” he commented, ing operations. And it doesn’t demand fundamental vessel re- “for such an innovative technology, it was important to have design and new piloting skills, issues that add complexity and an experimental proof.” Guisti estimated there are just four challenge to new wind-sail technologies and systems. such wave labs in France, none as large as the IFREMER

Guisti said potential clients and partners include shipown- facility, and, he added, likely available only at a cost to the ers and charters. Preliminary outreach is underway with Asian researchers. The point is, as an incubator, Brest is unique. It shipyards. “It’s a trendy topic,” he commented. Next steps in- would be hard for a startup like Blue? ns to start somewhere clude a model vessel in 2023, ? eld trials in 2024 and, hope- else. Brest of? cials want to make sure people know that.

fully, commercialization in 2025. Blue? ns was a winner of a “Concours Innovation” compe-

It’s important to note Blue? ns’ developmental context. Its tition which IFREMER started in 2021. Project reviewers website lists ? ve partners: include investors, incubators, scientists and entrepreneurs. • BPIFrance, a French Sovereign Fund that invests Startup awards are around 250k. Alexis Mareschi, an IFRE- in startups; MER spokesperson, explained that priority interest is given • Greenpact, a “start-up studio dedicated to to projects “which can develop a startup (company) and can ecological transitions;” become a solution either from the ocean, e.g., marine renew- • CITEPH, a group of 15 large engineering and energy able energy, biotechnologies, or for the ocean, i.e., addressing companies, which itself is part of a much larger group climate change, pollution or over? shing.” called EVOLEN that includes 250 energy companies For selected projects, IFREMER does not set a time-to-mar- working towards “carbon neutrality by 2050.” ket deadline. Two recent awards show this wide ? exibility, • The French Government; and, in interest and timeliness. One award went for a new com- • IFREMER. munication system for scuba divers, expected to be market

Blue? ns partnered with IFREMER in 2021, which holds the ready in a few years. Another, a biotechnology project using hydrofoil patent. Development is within the IFREMER facil- deep sea micro-organisms to produce hydrogen, is expected to ity in Brest. For a start-up like Blue? ns, location is critical. take much longer – about 10 years. Importantly, for those ap-

The IFREMER facility includes an ocean-wave simulation plicants not chosen as an IFREMER winner, IFREMER still lab referred to as the Technological Research and Develop- helps applicants establish alliances with other funding part- ment (RDT) unit. The test basin is 50m long, 20 m deep and ners. Good ideas are redirected, not rejected.

12.5 m wide. Researchers can program speci? c wave shapes Guisti was asked about making the jump from laboratory to and wave lengths that ? ow along the channel. Waves can factory, turning Blue? ns into an actual product for sale and range from predictable to chaotic, or what Guisti calls “rogue installation. He said current partners will help facilitate that waves.” It can generate regular and irregular swells with a transition. One partner in particular, Greenpact, has special- maximum peak-trough amplitude of 45cm. There are two ized experience in “deeptech projects, with a track record in traction bridges, 25-tonnes and 5-tonnes, for models and as- taking early stage technologies to the market.” Guisti said sociated material handling. Blue? ns is on the lookout for manufacturing and integration

This equipment allowed Guisti and his colleagues to con? rm expertise, and they are looking to hire additional staff.

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